Fintan Ginnity will go down in the annals of Meath GAA as one of its greatest ever administrators, nay its greatest ever administrator.

And it is absolutely no coincidence that the Drumbaragh native was at its helm when the good ship Meath GAA reached the Holy Grail.

Following successful stints in a variety of other county board positions, Fintan Ginnity was elected Chairman of the Royal County in 1986, a position he was to fill until 2005.

Twenty golden years in which Meath contested nine senior All Ireland finals, triumphant  in 1987, 88, 96 and 99 with drawn deciders in 88 and 96. Throw in winnings at every national grade, minor,  under 21, junior, NFL titles, O Byrne Cups etc, etc.

In his role as County Board Chairman Fintan is pictured with former Meath great Tom O'Brien before the county SFC final

And always there in the dug out was the man in the dark glasses, the hair brushed to one side, monitoring, cajoling. Remember the rush onto the Croke Park soil as Cork were eventually hauled in during September 87. The monkey was finally off our backs.

Or perhaps that happend the previous summer on a wet day versus the Dubs in the provincial final. Fintan Ginnity's first year in the hot seat.

Born in 1928, the future chairman first cut his GAA teeth as a tidy footballer on the outstanding Drumbaragh combination, circa the late forties to the early sixties. The Kells parish side reached the county senior decider of 1960.

In recent years Fintan was still a regular visitor to Pairc Tailteann

Later when an amalgamation was agreed upon with local rivals Kells, Fintan threw his massive reserves of energy behind the fledgling Gaeil Colmcille. And  ' par for the course', county senior championship titles arrived in 66 and 68.

Thus began a near 60 year association. Fintan Ginnity was to serve the north Meath town club as chairman for countless years. Truth be told he was probably acquainted with every position possible within the Gaeil's unit.

His stint as County Board Chairman also involved other, no little, matters, like the re opening of Pairc Tailteann in 1988. And Fintan was hugely associated with the birth of the Dunganny project.

Nothing gave Fintan more joy than seeing his grandsons win county titles with Wolfe Tones

Family aside, the GAA meant absolutely everything to Fintan Ginnity. Fiercely loyal to the ethos of the Association, committed, fully focused on the job at hand, immensely proud of his Irish heritage. 

His shadow, his very legacy will hover around Pairc Tailteann for eternity. 

Yes Pairc Tailteann, our county grounds, often Fintan Ginnity's second home. Never gained another addition to its title. Hope the sponsors do not interfere. The words Pairc Tailteann with the name of Fintan Ginnity somehow included would sound just fine.  Rest in Peace Great Man.

Fintan departed this world in the early hours of today, Thursday, October 3rd. Our sincerest sympathies to his wife Peig, his daughters Maire, Aisling and Neasa, sons Seamus and Fionn. To Fintans extended family and many friends.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhilis.

One of Fintan's greatest days as he presents the 1991 Keegan Cup to Gaeil Colmcille captain Terry Ferguson

 

Funeral details:

Reposing at his home on Friday and Saturday from 2pm-8pm. Removal on Sunday morning at 10:45am to arrive at St. Catherine's Church, Oristown for Funeral Mass at 11:30am. Burial afterwards in Gibbstown Cemetery.

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